LaCrosse Media PR Photoby Dave Noelke
The 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway officially concluded Friday night at the 25th annual Champions' Banquet.

A crowd of over 300 guests, including many of the 2011 race teams, sponsors and family members, joined in the festivities. Over 100 awards were handed out at the event, held at Onalaska's Stoney Creek Inn Conference Center on a frigid and snowy January night.

Featured at the banquet was the crowning of the 2011 track champions: J. Herbst in the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models, Dan Gilster in the North Country Contractors Sportsmen, United Auto Supply Thunderstox Champion Andy Moore, Window World Hornet Champion Jay Raines, and Volden Construction Outlawz champion John Olson. This was Herbst's second Late Model title (2009), Gilster's fourth (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007), Moore's second (2006) and Olson's second (2010). Raines was a first time class champion this season.

The evening kicked off by recognizing the tenth through fourth place drivers in the Thunderstox, Sportsmen and Late Model divisions in addition to 5th and 4th in the Hornet and Outlawz divisions. A brief 2011 season review video produced by KQEG TV-23 was shown to the guests, while Jacklyn Daniels had a "Thrills and Spills recap" of the entire season that was shown during dinner, served by C&C Catering of Sparta, to everyone's delight.

Late Model Drivers participating in 50% or more features last season in attendance were eligible to win a $500 certificate towards a body package purchase at Five Star Race Car Bodies. In a random draw, drivers were eliminated from the award as their spouse or girlfriend lined up and picked a beverage can at random, with a driver's car number at the bottom. Last man standing was 2011 Late Model runner-up Todd Korish, and he was awarded the certificate.

LaCrosse Media PR Photoby LaCrosse Media PR
Officials of LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway today have announced details of the 25th Annual Champions’ Banquet. The banquet will be held on Friday, January 20th, at the Stoney Creek Inn’s Northwoods Conference Center, located in Onalaska, Wi.

“It's always a fun time to see the racers during the off-season, where no one is under the pressure or against the clock to get on the track and get the car working properly" commented Director of Competition Ray Loughan. This will be the seventh straight year of having the event at the popular Conference Center at Stoney Creek Inn.

The doors will open at 6:00, with a social hour. Dinner will take place at 7:00, and the awards presentation will immediately begin following dinner.

Over 100 awards will be handed out to recipients, many of whom will take home awards that are voted on by their fellow competitors. Highlighting the evening will be presentation of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Track Champions in Late Model, Sportsmen and Thunderstox, plus the Hornets and Outlawz champions.

Tickets will only be available in advance, and will go on sale in December. Space is limited to the first 325 guests.

For more information about the 2011 LaCrosse Speedway Champions' Banquet or the 2012 race season, please contact the speedway office at 608-786-1525, email lacrossespeedway@yahoo.com or visit the track website at www.lacrossespeedway.com.

LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway is a proud NASCAR Hometrack, Wisconsin's only paved weekly racing oval in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

by LaCrosse Media PR
Join us for the final event at the Speedway this Saturday, October 15th. It is the 300' Bracket Nationals of Street Drags presented by Unique Edge Customizing.

Come out and participate in one of many brackets of competition, including Detroit Iron (Muscle Cars), Tuners, Mustangs, Trucks, 4x4, Motorcycles, plus High Skool, Domestic and More! Plus, a Monster Energy Burnout Contest and the Shine N Show contest will add to the fun you will have this Saturday.

Admission is $5 to the grandstands ages 12 and older, Kids age 11 & under are FREE. Pit passes are $5, and bracket registration is $10. Gates open at 12:30 and the first bracket begins at 2:00 pm.

For More Information about Street Drags, visit www.streetdragslax.com or become a fan on the Street Drags LaCrosse Speedway Facebook page to get update,s reminders and see event photos!

Face-Off Concert This Saturday at 5pm
Following Street Drags this Saturday is a great concert lineup at the Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall.
Live Music Featuring:
Spin-Off from 6pm-8pm
Three Beers til Dubuque 8pm-11pm
Monkey Wrench 11pm-1am

This concert event is a fundraiser for the West Salem Youth Hockey Association. Beer will be available for purchase and food provided by Big Roar Smokers Barbeque.

A fantastic turn out of championship drivers and other celebrities attended the Champions Reunion October 9th, which was held as part of the 42nd Annual Oktoberfest Racing weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI.

by Matt Panure
With the Mid-American Stock Car Series capping off 18 of the last 41 Oktoberfest Race Weekend Saturday nights, history was bound to repeat itself. Increase those chances two-fold when it’s James Swan who has the chance to make history.

Doug Hornickel Photo - fastlapphoto.comby Kevin Ramsell
Every year, Johnny Sauter looks at his calendar and makes his plans for one event, the Oktoberfest Race Weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Today, he led every lap to finally win the Oktoberfest 100 main event.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver held off his nephew Travis Sauter to win the main event on the final day of the four-day race weekend. The event was slowed by two cautions with the Sauters putting on a show for the large crowd in attendance. Chris Weinkauf was third with Skylar Holzhausen in fourth. Erik Darnell rounded out the top five.

Andrew Morrissey finished 20th and secured the 2011 ASA Midwest Tour championship. A full report is available at www.asamidwesttour.com

Zack Riddle showed his muscle in the first segment as he went from seventh to first in ten laps to win the first of three 21-lap segments. Bobby Wilberg took the lead at the drop of the green flag and pulled away from polesitter Ryan Carlson. Riddle got by Carlson for second on lap eight and two laps later, passed Wilberg on the inside going into turn one to take over the lead and the win. Cory Kemkes was second with Kyle Shear in third. Wilberg was fourth and James Swan rounded out the top-five.

The field was inverted for the start of the second segment. The action got wild on lap two when Skylar Holzhausen backed his late model into the outside wall in turns three and four. Holzhausen was able to walk away. Nick Clements started on the outside of the front row and led the first 16 laps. The second caution flew on lap 16 when Cory Kemkes and Travis Stanley went around in turn four. On the restart, Jason Schuler would get on the inside of Clements and take over the top spot. J. Herbst followed Schuler to take over second. Herbst would get to Schuler’s bumper but would fail to get around as Schuler won the second segment. Kyle Shear came from 18th to finish third while Clements was fourth. Riddle, who started shotgun on the field, finished fifth.